World War II Honoree

Harry R. Harr

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Pine Croft, Pennsylvania

Honored By

Ralph Bozorth

HE WAS POSTHUMOUSLY AWARDED THE CONGRESSIONAL MEDAL OF HONOR. CORPORAL, U.S. ARMY, COMPANY D, 124TH INFANTRY, 31ST INFANTRY DIVISION. PLACE AND DATE: NEAR MAGLAMIN, MINDANAO, PHILIPPINE ISLANDS ON JUNE 5, 1945. ENTERED SERVICE AT: EAST FREEDOM, PENNSYLVANIA. CITATION: 'HE DISPLAYED CONSPICUOUS GALLANTRY AND INTREPIDITY. IN A FIERCE COUNTERATTACK, THE JAPANESE CLOSED IN ON HIS MACHINE GUN EMPLACEMENT, HURLING HAND GRENADES, 1 OF WHICH EXPLODED UNDER THE GUN, PUTTING IT OUT OF ACTION AND WOUNDING 2 OF THE CREW. WHILE THE REMAINING GUNNERS WERE DESPERATELY ATTEMPTING TO REPAIR THEIR WEAPON ANOTHER GRENADE LANDED SQUARELY IN THE EMPLACEMENT. QUICKLY REALIZING HE COULD NOT SAFELY THROW THE UNEXPLODED MISSILE FROM THE CROWDED POSITION, HE UNHESITATINGLY COVERED IT WITH HIS BODY TO SMOTHER THE BLAST. HIS SUPREMELY COURAGEOUS ACT, WHICH COST HIM HIS LIFE, SAVED 4 OF HIS COMRADES AND ENABLED THEM TO CONTINUE THEIR MISSION.'